Vol 1, No 1 (2014)

A 2010 Ethnography of the University Initiative course taught in the department of Kinesiology & Community Health had painting major Brett Eaton, along with 60 classmates, researching the historical role of female physical education and kinesiology faculty at the University of Illinois. As the story of the women's struggle for equality and recognition unfolded, Eaton was moved to create art that would be a lasting commemoration for their work.

Portraiture is the basis of this piece. Historically, when one's portrait was painted, it bestowed great importance - only people of great status and wealth had their portraits done. I chose to draw individual portraits of each of these women to show the importance of their lives. I used spray paint and charcoal to produce a graffiti stylistic effect as graffiti/street art portrays stories that are typically untold; often such art pays homage and remembers particular people that have been influential to the artist and the community. Graffiti artists' goals mimicked my own: I want this piece to tell the untold stories of these incredible women. (Brett Eaton)